VW Mitigation Trust

Mississippi Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust

The Volkswagen (VW) Diesel Settlement requires VW to establish a $2.7 billion Environmental Mitigation Trust Fund to be distributed among states to fund eligible mitigation projects to replace diesel emission sources with cleaner technology to reduce excess nitrogen oxide (“NOx”) emissions. The Mitigation Trust Fund will be used for projects which will reduce pollution and improve air quality in Mississippi. VW must establish the Mitigation Trust Fund in part to settle claims that it sold vehicles with “defeat devices” designed to cheat emissions tests. Mississippi has been initially allocated $9,874,414 to fund projects designed to reduce NOx emissions in the state. To receive the allocation, Mississippi must elect to become a Beneficiary of the Mitigation Trust within 60 days from the date the Mitigation Trust is established, known as the “Trust Effective Date.” The Trust Effective Date is October 2, 2017. Governor Bryant has identified MDEQ as the lead agency for purposes of administering the state’s trust allocation and has submitted the Beneficiary Certification Form to formally request beneficiary status and designate MDEQ as the lead agency. The Trustee certified Mississippi as a Beneficiary on January 29, 2018.

Mitigation Plan and Types of Projects Eligible for Funding

As the lead agency, MDEQ must submit a Mitigation Plan summarizing how it plans to use the Mitigation Trust funds allocated to Mississippi 30 days prior to submitting any request for funds. The Mitigation Plan is intended to provide the public with insight into the high-level vision for use of the mitigation funds and information about the specific uses for which funding is expected to be requested.

The Mitigation Trust specifies the types of mitigation actions which may be funded. Examples of Mitigation Trust eligible mitigation projects are scraping and replacing or repowering the following types of vehicles and equipment:

The Mitigation Trust may fund government and non-government owned mitigation projects. The state may also use up to fifteen percent of its allocation to buy, operate, and maintain zero emission supply equipment (e.g., charging stations, hydrogen dispensing equipment) for certain projects.

Public Participation

MDEQ is currently taking input for the Mitigation Plan and will hold public meetings to receive comments for the draft Mitigation Plan. To receive future notifications regarding the public comment period and public meetings for the draft Mitigation Plan, sign up for the MDEQ VW Environmental Mitigation Trust email list here.

Mississippi VW Settlement Environmental Mitigation Trust Comment Form

MDEQ has developed a fillable pdf form web-based form to allow interested stakeholders to submit comments regarding the state’s utilization of environmental mitigation trust fund monies associated with the VW diesel settlement. MDEQ’s Air Division will receive and review the comments. MDEQ will not receive specific requests for project funding until the Mitigation Plan is developed and approved by the Trustee.

Late Cretaceous age fossil crinoid, Dunnicrinus mississippiensis, calyx and ossicles in a slab of crinoidal limestone from the Prairie Bluff Chalk in Clay Co. Photo: George Phillips, @MSScienceMuseum. #FossilFriday @dtleader